The main site for Trees of Hope is the tree nursery at Chinyere Village, Munyawiri, Chinamhora, Goromonzi District
A protected space has been allocated in Chinyere village where, under the guidance of Wellington Chinyere, Noel Chinyere and William Chitauro, local participants nurture seedlings and grow indigenous bushes and fruit / forest trees. These are cared for in a specially built shade area. Composting activities are being modelled nearby, using tools that have been made available. The team has been developing ways to distribute these saplings for safe care within the local communities to support and encourage the reforestation of the environment and to raise awareness of the economic / health benefits for all of a biodiverse local environment.
Key activities that have supported the development of the tree nursery environment have been the collection of seeds from the surviving forest, the discussion with community members about the value of these seeds and the safe storing them in preparation for planting. ToH UK has continued to respond to requests from the ToH Project team to ensure the maintenance and development of the physical infrastructure of the tree nursery including the shade area, the borehole providing an essential water supply, fire breaks which improve the safety of the site and toilet facilities for visitors. Fencing has also proved essential – to protect young saplings and plants from local free range livestock. The food growing area has been extended and a shelter for pigs has been constructed with the effect the project team are now planning a small scale business that could ensure greater self sufficiency for these activities. The development of composting practices has reduced the dependency of these agro-forestry activities on chemical fertilisers.
Early discussions about the use of the local schools as outreach sites where saplings can be nurtured and distributed have been brought to fruition through the implementation of a project funded through the auspices of Bath Spa University – Exploring and Exchanging Communications About Trees (EECAT). The ToH team members recognise that the local schools all have extensive grounds and secure water supplies that are appropriate for this purpose. Again shade and fencing has proved essential to safeguard plants and young saplings that are trying to establish themselves.
The shade was built from March – December 2022. The bricks are baked on site and sand comes from the river but money is needed for the cement. First the pillars were built and then gradually the roofing beams are put in place before the corrugated iron sheeting is mounted on the top. At the end of the shade is a small lockable toolshed to store all the tools required.